Press Release

Issued by Threshold Aviation Group.

January 9, 2018

Less than a year after hosting an event to encourage trade between the United States and China's relatively undeveloped general aviation industry, Threshold Aviation has announced a deal to establish and operate training centers for Chinese pilots and mechanics, establish airparks and fixed base operations.

Airparks are housing developments served by a runway allowing homeowners to land their plane and taxi it directly to a hangar on their property.

To gain a foothold in China, Threshold has partnered with a Chinese company, YXST Aviation Industry Development Co. Ltd., which holds the exclusive right to develop six airports with the possibility of adding more, Threshold officials said Tuesday.

“This is a huge, literally huge opportunity for Threshold Aviation Group to expand its business with nearly limitless potential,” said Mark Dilullo, Threshold CEO and owner. “The Chinese aviation market has the potential to eventually be the largest (general) aviation market in the world, and we are in on the ground floor of that, providing critical services to help get it off the ground.”

This summer, about 10 Chinese pilots and mechanics will come to Threshold for intensive training in general aviation skills, said Pete Nichols, a Threshold executive assigned to the China business development project. Later, a younger group will be coming over to gain pilot or aircraft maintenance certifications, he said. They will be taking hands-on classes at Threshold which will be supplemented by online coursework.

Dilullo said it was too early to say what the hiring implications are for Threshold as a result of this contract. Another Chinese group is in active discussions with the company for a similar arrangement, he said.

The general aviation industry in the United States exploded after World War II when airspace was largely turned over to civilian control. The Chinese military is in the early stages of loosening its grip on airspace to allow general aviation to blossom, experts say.

Threshold anticipates a spike in business for several years as the Chinese seek to develop their general aviation industry. Eventually, however, the Chinese will move to take over this training themselves, company executives say.

In March 2017, Threshold held a trade show at its Chino Airport hangar as part of the “Inaugural U.S.-China General Aviation Business Conference,” sponsored by Threshold and the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.